2017 Jerusalem truck attack


The 2017 Jerusalem truck attack, which occurred on 8 January 2017, was a vehicle-ramming attack. A truck driven by an Arab citizen of Israel plowed into a group of uniformed Israel Defense Forces soldiers disembarking from a bus on the Armon Hanatziv Esplanade in East Jerusalem's East Talpiot neighborhood, close to the Trotner park and UNTSO headquarters, killing four and injuring 15.
Just hours after the incident, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, blamed the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant for the attack, raising questions about how he came to that conclusion. Opponents criticized the Israeli Government for downplaying the political side. Later, the attack was claimed by an unknown Palestinian group called "The Martyr of Baha Alyan Collective", citing political motives. The attack was condemned by the United Nations, European Union, the United States and others.

Attack

At around 13:00, a truck rammed into a group of IDF soldiers at a promenade in the East Talpiot neighborhood in southeast Jerusalem. One male and three female soldiers were killed and 15 soldiers were injured. Of those injured, two were in critical condition after the attack. The attacker was shot dead by several of the soldiers and their civilian tour guide. Israeli officials describe the attack to be an "act of terrorism".
Initial reports, including an account by the civilian tour guide who used his personal handgun to shoot at the driver, alleged that one of the soldiers hesitated before shooting, possibly as a result of the manslaughter conviction earlier in the month of Sgt. Elor Azaria, who had killed an incapacitated Palestinian assailant. Despite this report, the IDF reported that at least two soldiers fired at the attacker, and denied a connection between troops' response to Azaria case. One of the cadets at the scene is quoted as saying that they fought for their friends and "Nobody was scared to shoot for even one minute".

Victims

The four fatalities were IDF soldiers studying in the Haim Laskov officers school: three cadets and an officer.
These ranks reflect their posthumous promotions.

Perpetrator

A 28-year-old Arab Israeli man from Jabel Mukaber in East Jerusalem driving a car with an Israeli license plate. Nana 10 reported that he had served time in jail in the past, and Walla! reported he had Israeli citizenship.
Prime Minister Netanyahu blamed ISIL soon after the attack stating "all signs show he is a supporter of the Islamic State". The claims made by him just hours after the attack raised questions to how he came to that conclusion. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman also drew parallels with ISIL attacks in Germany and France. Opponents accused the Israeli government of downplaying politics, they claimed that Palestinian attacks are more motivated by nationalism rather than religion and considered Israeli accusations to be unconvincing for policymakers. Later reports stated that the perpetrator was a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and that the PFLP had claimed him as their member. Others alleged that the perpetrator supported ISIL. A little-known Palestinian group called "The Martyr of Baha Alyan Collective" claimed responsibility on 9 January. It stated that it had no outside links, had acted on political motives and it wasn't its first attack. It also warned that it will carry out more attacks in the future.

Aftermath

Of nine suspects taken into custody on suspicion of involvement, five were members of the perpetrator's family: his wife, parents, and two siblings, and an Israeli Cabinet meeting was scheduled.
At 20:00 local time Channel 2 reported that shots had been fired from the Jabel Mukaber at the Israeli Border Patrol.
Channel 10 reported that Israel had started to put concrete obstacles around the village Jabel Mukaber.

Accusations of reporting controversies

stated that the title used by the BBC, "Driver of lorry shot in Jerusalem after allegedly ramming pedestrians, injuring at least 15, Israeli media report", was biased. Later that day Honest Reporting, an advocacy group focused on defending Israel in the media, wrote that the BBC modified the title and iterated over several other titles. Mako have criticized Fox News and CNN in addition to BBC for the titles that they used to describe the event. Mako claimed that omitting such information constitutes falsifying the reports. Mako also claimed that it is the same case as it was during Sharona market shooting, the murder of Hadar Cohen and the March 2016 attacks. Honest Reporting also criticized CNN, New York Times, The Guardian and NPR. Honest Reporting called the news headlines biased when they do not explain the key factors of terror attack or fail to mention that they were carried out by a Palestinian assailant, or for refusing to use the term "terrorist".

Reactions

Israel